Independent TD Denis Naughten said the funding, would “greatly improve” playing facilities and road safety at facilities and national schools across Roscommon.

“I have no doubt that this allocation of funding to improve road safety within the vicinity of schools in will reduce speed and save lives, of children, parents and other road users,” Deputy Naughten said.

“Research in the UK has shown that for every 1mph increase in the average speed, there is a 5% increase in the number of road accidents. So every measure that slows traffic will save lives,” he added.

“I have been working with many of these groups for some time in order to secure funding and it is positive that this has now been confirmed. The completion of these projects will further support our rural communities with a focus on improving public safety.”

“However, I am very aware that a number of groups made applications who have not been successful and I will be seeking the reasons for which this has been the case”.

Senator Hopkins concluded: “It is very important that we support rural communities and this funding is an important measure in working to achieve this goal. I will continue to work with Minister Ring in order to ensure that these groups receive their funds as soon as possible in order to allow works to begin”.

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, however, said the latest announcement was “further evidence that this Government is tightening the purse strings – to the detriment of rural Ireland”.

“While the Minister did allocate almost €4 million in this CLAR payment run. It falls well short of the grants awarded last year in Galway and Roscommon respectively.

“For instance, this year’s funding has been cut by over €330,000 for Co. Galway. A total of 6 projects have received just over €264,000. While in 2018, 15 projects benefited from €603,000.